LETHAL ADDICTION

When you lose someone you care about nothing else matters in the world; your world becomes one big black hole, you lose all the happiness in your body, mind, soul and spirit.

Hayden Rivers was always the shy type who was always with her older brother, their bond grew even closer when they were abandoned by their parents.

That all changes when her older brother (Ryan) dies and leaves her alone in the big, cruel world, she feels like an ant compared to everyone else and is lost with no sense of direction

At his funeral she doesn't expect to cross paths with Russell Scott

She witnesses him about to kill someone and that creates more problems in her already twisted life

Russell Scott is the most feared guy not only in their school but around the small town the live in; He has tattoos, deals, drugs, fights,has anger issues that get him in a lot of trouble and his own skeletons in his closet.

8. Chapter 8

Hayden watched in amusement as Peyton hit her phone for the umpteenth time.

“This weekend really passed by fast” She sighed “I still can’t believe what happened, it’s the talk of the entire school” she continued

“I know” Hayden answered, ignoring the stares she was getting from all the other students, Nick’s table included

“Yeah that was crazy” Hayden spoke up not sure of what else to add. She remembered how when he dropped her back he just sped off and didn’t say anything else to her, she didn’t know what else to do...she couldn’t let him keep on kissing her because she was the only one getting so infatuated.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to hang around with Russell” she started and Hayden already knew where it was going “His bad company, you saw how angry he got on Saturday and that was just creepy” she added

As much as Hayden wanted to disagree she knew it was true...Russell was dangerous and she needed to stop acting like a fool, there was just something about him that always triggered something in her.

“I know” she answered, trying not to sound as disappointed as she actually was. “So how was the rest of your weekend?” she asked the girl who seemed excited to tell her something

“Okay so I went to another club this weekend, one without guns” she smiled “And I met the sexiest man I have ever set my eyes on” she continued with a glint in her eye

“Really?”

“Yes, ugh Hayden you should have seen him, he was so tall and muscular and most of all manly” she gushed “And the sex...”

“You had sex with him?” Hayden gasped wide eyed at her best friend “I take it he doesn’t have a clue you are 17” she laughed

“Well...no but still it was amazing”

“What’s his name?” she asked

“James” she smiled “I really like him Hayden”

Peyton was rich, she and her parents lived in a huge mansion but they were never there.

“You have to tell him the truth about your age”

“I know” she whispered “And I will soon, just not now”

Hayden nodded understandingly and smiled at her

“Who’s that?” Peyton asked looking at something passed her and she turned her head

Shocked at who was standing there, she crossed the road and walked up to him

“Hayden” he greeted

“Paul, what are you doing here?” she asked, here eyebrows furrowed

“Well I knew it was your lunch and wanted to see if you wanted to grab something, I’ll drop you back”

“Uh-okay sure”

She turned around and waved at Peyton who was now standing with Jade and got into the sleek black car.

He took her to a fancy restaurant which made her feel completely out of place in the floral summer dress she was in. The room was filled with people who were smartly dressed all enjoying lunch.

“Welcome to Cherrie, table for?” The waitress asked them

“Two please” Paul answered and they both followed as she lead them to their table

“What would you like to drink?” she asked politely

“Cranberry juice for me please” Hayden Politely answered

“I’ll have the same” Paul smiled

“Fantastic” she handed them food menus and walked off to get their drinks.

“Are you ready to order?” the waitress asked

“Yes we will have some of your chicken pasta, is that okay?” he asked Hayden who just nodded her head.

Their lunch went great and they made general conversation, Hayden’s mind never drifted off to Russell once...maybe this is exactly what she needed. Someone who wouldn’t push her away...someone who actually wanted her

“So I had fun” Paul smiled at her and turned off the car engine

“Me too, thanks again” she smiled lifting her leftover cuisine

“Anytime” He hesitantly leaned in and kissed her softly and she returned it

“Bye” she whispered, biting her lip softly

Paul smiled and watched as she opened the door and walked out, heading into her school building.

Hayden made her way to her English class seeing as she was already late. The walk to her class didn’t take long before she knew it she was knocking on the door softly

“The famous love story Beauty and the Beast” he walked around as he spoke, handing out small novels

“I want each pair to write something about it, what you think the theme was, what emotions you think the characters carried and so on” he explained

“Now, we will be talking about-” he started explaining what he would be teaching but Hayden couldn’t move and remained frigid.

“So how d- where should we meet up to do this” she asked not looking at him. Russell noticed she was avoiding eye contact with him

When he didn’t answer she looked up and he was already looking at her, she licked her lips nervously and played with a small piece of paper on the desk.

“How about we meet up at that little cafe down the str-” she offered hoping she wouldn’t be turned down

“No” was his response, interrupting her

Startled by his answer she looked at him “No?” she asked confused

“No cafe” he answered

“O-okay, Adrianna is having her book club over this week so how about yours” she asked looking at him and he nodded his head

“Okay, could you write the address down for me” she asked searching for a pen and piece of paper

“No need, we can go together”

“In the same car?” she asked stupidly making the sexiest chuckle escape his lips

“Yes Bambi” he answered

Did he just call her bambi?

“Hayden” she said

“What?”

“My name is Hayden not Bambi”she corrected him

“I know what your name is but I like Bambi better” he smirked. It was amazing how even with the cut on his eyebrow he still looked handsome, she had never seen him smile...the closest thing he did was smirk.

When they arrived at his house, they found his friends with a few girls lounging around and playing video games, there weren’t a lot of free seats so she ended up sharing with Elliot

Elliot was nice and was talking to her while she waited for Russell to finish his conversation with Mike. Hayden saw Russell’s head turn every time she laughed.

Russell wanted to shove Elliot off that seat. He was trying not to pay a lot of attention to it; they were just sitting and talking. He saw Elliot lift a hand to Hayden’s shoulder and that was it.